Olympic Officials Claim No Major Zika Virus Risk For Tourists, Athletes

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Representatives for the Rio Olympics committee pointed to research carried out by health officials that assures athletes and visitors that the Zika virus will not be a major risk when the Olympic Games commence in August.

According to NBCNews.com, health officials for Rio 2016 say the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes—known to carry the Zika virus—will be less active during the Olympic Games due to the cooler and drier weather in the region.

“It is worth knowing that the incidence of the mosquito that transmits the virus is extremely low in August and September, which is winter in Brazil and the period in which the Rio 2016 Games will take place,” Rio 2016's chief medical officer Dr. Joao Grangeiro said in a statement. “Furthermore, we have conducted 44 test events this year, the majority of them in the summer, the peak period for Zika. With more than 7,000 athletes, 8,000 volunteers and 2,000 staff participating, there was not a single case of contamination (infection).”

A recent study done at the University of Sao Paulo indicates that the Olympics “would result in no more than 16 additional cases of the disease.” In addition, the World Health Organization reported that moving or changing the 2016 Olympic Games would not significantly alter the international spread of Zika virus.

The Olympic committee is also working with locals to control the mosquito population, including daily patrols to eliminate standing water near the areas where the Games will take place. Officials still state that the best course of action is for visitors to protect themselves with longer clothing and insect repellents.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization are still advising pregnant women or women thinking about becoming pregnant to avoid areas affected by the Zika virus due to the potential birth defects the disease can cause.

As of July 10th elite athletes including Jordan Spieth, LeBron James, Rory Mcllroy and Jason Day have withdrawn due to Zika concerns. 

By IMPACTING TRAVEL | DONALD WOOD 

How Zika Could Affect The Rio Olympics

U.S. athletes who are concerned about Zika can consider not attending the games.

This article appeared on time.com.

© Michael Kemp / Alamy Stock Photo

The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) has told U.S. sports federations that athletes worried about their health amid the ongoing Zika virus outbreak should consider not attending the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, according to Reuters.

Reuters reports, citing anonymous sources, that the news was provided during a conference call with committee officials and leaders of the sports federations in January. Athletic groups were reportedly told they should not go to Brazil if they do not feel comfortable going.

Pregnant women have been advised by U.S. health authorities not to travel to places of Zika transmission to avoid risk of infection. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recently updated its guidelines in regards to how to prevent the possibility of transmitting the virus via sex.

“We are closely monitoring the situation through the CDC and have ongoing contact with the International Olympic Committee, the organizing officials in Rio, the World Health Organization and infectious disease specialists with expertise in tropical diseases, including the Zika virus,” Patrick Sandusky, a USOC spokesperson told TIME in an email statement. “Additionally, we’re taking steps to ensure that our delegation and those affiliated with Team USA are aware of the CDC’s recommendations regarding travel to Brazil.”

by Alexandra Sifferlin / TIME

[Reuters]